Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obehi Akoria and other medical experts have canvassed for the use of exclusive breast feeding by mothers

Speaking during  a symposium to mark the world breast feeding week organized by the Institute of child Health, University of Benin, UNIBEN/ University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, the Commissioner for Health who was represented by Dr. Emuwahen Nehikhare, Consultant Family Physician, commended the Institute of Child health for organizing the Breast-feeding Day with a symposium.

She described the guest Speaker, Prof. Charles Eregie as a mentor who encouraged her to breast feed her children

In his opening remarks, the Acting Director of the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, Dr. D. U Nwaneri disclosed that the public enlightenment on the importance of breast feeding was a mandate of the Institute which is the oldest faculty in the University of Benin

“I want to thank the Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN. Prof Lilian Imuetiyan Salami and the Chief Medical Director, CMD  of UBTH,  Dr. Darlington Ewaen Obaseki for the permanent site which is ongoing to cater for the large turnout of participants that usually grace the  seminars organized by the institute

The guest lecturer, Prof. Charles Eregie, who spoke on the title, “Step up for breastfeeding: The Potpourri disclosed that breast milk and breast feeding constitute perfect meal for the child.

According to the Professor of Child Health, UNIBEN and Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Department of Child Health, UBTH, improved breastfeeding practices will save 820, 000 lives.

While appealing to the husbands of breast-feeding mothers to encourage exclusive breast feeding, Prof Eregie noted that a family that breast feed together stays together, adding that the men should not be too busy not to be with their wives while they are breast feeding because it is the guaranteed optimal food for the child.

“There are no such things as breast milk substitutes. If women breast feed successfully, the makers of breast milk substitutes will go out of business. Those women who decides not to breast feed because they want to avoid their breasts from falling are not serious because whether they breast feed or not the breast will still fall,” he noted.

He counselled mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers and the benefits of adult breast feeding which helps the nipples, saying that erotic lactation benefits the man, woman and baby.

He also condemned the violation of the code which says no promotion and advertisement of breast milk substitutes because breast feeding is the mother of all child survival intervention.

There were over 50 participants on site and 50 participants in the zoom platform (Online) with participants from Nigeria, Ghana and Lesotho.